
Ruth Emery
Ruth is an award-winning financial journalist with more than 15 years' experience of working on national newspapers, websites and specialist magazines.
She is passionate about helping people feel more confident about their finances. She was previously editor of Times Money Mentor, and prior to that was deputy Money editor at The Sunday Times.
A multi-award winning journalist, Ruth started her career on a pensions magazine at the FT Group, and has also worked at Money Observer and Money Advice Service.
Outside of work, she is a mum to two young children, while also serving as a magistrate and an NHS volunteer.
Latest articles by Ruth Emery
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Best investing apps
Looking for an easy-to-use app to help you start investing, keep track of your portfolio or make trades on the go? We round up the best investing apps
By Ruth Emery Last updated
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ISA guide: everything you need to know for the 2024/25 tax year
In our ISA guide, we explain everything you need to know about ISAs: how they work, how much you can pay in, what investments you can hold, and how to transfer one.
By Ruth Emery Last updated
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Are you eligible for a £25 cold weather payment?
Millions of people are eligible for cold weather payments from the Department for Work and Pensions. With the scheme finishing for this winter on 31 March, we explain who qualifies and how to check if a payment is due
By Ruth Emery Last updated
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Why you should write a will — and how to do it for free
Most of us haven’t written a will. But it's one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your loved ones
By Ruth Emery Last updated
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Nationwide to pull its £175 switching bonus - act now to get offer
The building society is withdrawing its bank switching offer at the end of the month, after gaining thousands of customers last year. We explain how to qualify for the current account switching bonus
By Ruth Emery Published
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Are you missing out on Pension Credit? How to claim the benefit worth up to £4,300
News The number of Pension Credit claims has soared by 81% - however, thousands of eligible households are still failing to apply. We explain who qualifies for Pension Credit and how to apply
By Ruth Emery Last updated
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Heat pumps: how to reduce the cost of installation
Tips Half of homes should have heat pumps within 15 years, according to the government's climate advisers. We look at how much a heat pump costs, how the £7,500 government grant works, and other discounts available
By Ruth Emery Last updated
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Zoopla: price gap between houses and flats reaches 30-year high
The average house value is now 67% higher than the average value of a flat, property portal Zoopla has found
By Ruth Emery Published
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My 8% Nationwide regular saver has matured - what are my options?
Nationwide’s popular 8% account has matured for savers. Should you stick with the building society or move to a competitor?
By Ruth Emery Last updated
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State pension could rise to £12,600 next year - dragging millions into paying tax
The triple lock could trigger a 5.5% increase to the state pension in April 2026, economists suggest. This means the full state pension will breach the tax-free personal allowance
By Ruth Emery Published
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Stocks and shares ISAs beat cash ISAs – is it time to start investing?
The average stocks and shares ISA returned almost 12% over the past 12 months, versus 3.8% for the average cash ISA. As Rachel Reeves considers cutting the cash ISA limit, is it time you started investing?
By Ruth Emery Published
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UK house prices rose 4.6% last year – where did property prices grow most?
House prices increased by 4.6% in 2024, giving an average property price of £268,000. Where did property prices grow the most and will they continue to rise this year?
By Ruth Emery Published
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Most affordable cities for single homebuyers revealed
Buying a home by yourself? Analysis by Zoopla reveals the most affordable cities in the UK
By Ruth Emery Published
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18 tips to cut your car insurance premiums
Tips Average car insurance premiums have fallen by 18% over the past year, following sky-high bills in 2023. We highlight clever tips to reduce your costs further
By Ruth Emery Last updated
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Millions missed self-assessment deadline as HMRC hikes interest rate for late payments - what it means for your tax bill
Late self-assessment filers could be hit with higher interest rate charges that were buried in the Autumn Budget. Experts say it is unfair and represents a “hidden tax rise”. We explain how it works, and how to avoid it
By Ruth Emery Last updated
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How many ISAs can I have?
New ISA rules mean savers can hold multiple ISAs of the same type. But is this change available to everyone? We look at how many ISAs you can have in the current tax year
By Ruth Emery Last updated
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Will China thrive during the Year of the Snake - or will Trump’s tariffs bite?
As the Chinese lunar new year begins, investors will be wondering whether allocating to the world’s second-largest economy will “rattle” up some big returns, or whether Trump’s tariffs will take a “venomous bite” out of investment performance
By Ruth Emery Published
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Average rents drop for first time since 2019 - what does it mean for buy-to-let landlords?
The rental market is starting to cool, with more supply and less demand, says Rightmove. That’s good news for tenants, but where does it leave landlords?
By Ruth Emery Published
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The 8% pension rule: what is it and is it enough to retire on?
You are probably saving this amount into a pension each month without even realising. But what is the 8% rule and is it enough to give you a comfortable retirement?
By Ruth Emery Last updated
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HMRC vows to tackle overtaxed pension scandal as pensioners reclaim millions
Pensioners claimed almost £50 million in pension tax overpayment refunds in the past three months. Now, HMRC says it wants to improve the system so pension savers “pay the right amount of tax from the outset”. We explain what’s changing
By Ruth Emery Published
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Key pension changes in 2025
There are several big changes happening to pensions this year. Here’s what you need to know, from the state pension and pensions dashboards to preparing for an inheritance tax hike
By Ruth Emery Last updated
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Child Trust Funds: Could £2,000 of unclaimed money be waiting for you?
More than £1.4 billion is languishing in unclaimed savings accounts belonging to 18-22 year olds. Here is how to track down lost Child Trust Funds.
By Ruth Emery Last updated
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RICS: Resilience of housing market could be tested if mortgage rates climb
The latest survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors reveals the UK property market ended 2024 on a firm footing, but warns that a rise in mortgage rates could put a dampener on things
By Ruth Emery Published
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UK house prices rose 3.3% over past 12 months - what’s in store for 2025?
The Land Registry house price index reveals annual inflation of 3.3%, with the average property price reaching £290,000 in November. Will house prices continue to increase this year?
By Ruth Emery Published